Sydney. Mother!

Margaret looks at her with twitching lips.

Sydney. Mother, you haven’t—

Margaret. I can’t talk to you now, Sydney.

Sydney. But Mother—

Margaret. Please.

Sydney. But Mother—

Margaret. Ask Kit to wait a few minutes.

Sydney. But—

Margaret goes into the inner room and sits down to write at a little desk near the window. Her back is turned to them and she is soon absorbed in her letter. Sydney stands deep in thought.